Health insurance marketplace opens

There's one more way to get health care coverage. It's called the health insurance marketplace (also known as exchanges). It gives you another way to compare and buy health insurance.

All plans in the marketplace are run by health insurance companies and offer a core set of benefits called "essential health benefits." These benefits include ER care, hospital stays, maternity and newborn care, prescription drugs and preventive care. You can choose from four levels of health care coverage: bronze, silver, gold and platinum.

Each level may have a few plans to choose from, with bronze having the lowest monthly premium but you pay more for your care. Platinum plans have the highest monthly premium, but you pay less when you get care.

How it impacts you

If you own a small business (with less than 49 workers), you may be able to use the marketplace to get health care for your business.

Have questions?

When is open enrollment?

Open enrollment for 2015 health care coverage begins November 15, 2014 and ends February 15, 2015. However, in order for your coverage to start on January 1, 2015 you need to enroll in a plan by December 15, 2014.

Can I be turned down for coverage if I sign up?

No. As of January 1, 2014, all health plans have to take you no matter what your health status, age or gender is. Some plans may have limits to care based on where you live.

What happens if I go without health insurance?

Without health care coverage, you and your family risk paying a penalty and the possibility of paying a lot of money if you get sick or hurt.

Who will run the health insurance marketplace?

Each state may look a little different. A state can:

Run its own marketplace.

Choose to have a marketplace run by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Who can get coverage through the marketplace?

People buying their own plans and small employers. States can have large companies with 100 or more workers in these plans starting in 2017.

Who qualifies for a subsidy?

People who are 100 to 400% of the federal poverty level.* That means you make between $11,670 and $46,680 a year (in 2014).

A family of four that is 100 to 400% of the federal poverty level,* meaning you make between $23,850 and $95,400 a year (in 2014).

People who are up to 250% of the federal poverty level. This group might get an additional subsidy with a silver level plan.

If you qualified for a subsidy for your 2014 health care coverage, you still need to re-qualify to see if you are able to get a subsidy for your 2015 health care coverage.

Is the marketplace the only way to buy coverage?

No. You can still buy your health plan directly from an insurance company.

What if I don't have Internet access?

You can call a toll-free number, and someone can help you pick a plan and sign up.

*Keep in mind, if you're not eligible for a government-sponsored program, like Medicare or Medicaid, or other sources of minimum essential coverage, you may still qualify for financial support to lower your premium through a tax credit or subsidy if your income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.

Health Insurance Marketplace

Open enrollment begins in the fall

Important Tip:

If you meet the criteria, you might be able to get a subsidy or tax credit to help you pay for your health plan.

New choices when shopping for health insurance

A health insurance marketplace (also known as exchanges) is run by the state or federal government. Each health care company available at the marketplace offers their own set of plans which include a basic set of essential health benefits. Consumers and small businesses can compare plans side-by-side and pick the plan that works for them.

The marketplace is a new way to shop, compare and buy plans.

We can pick the plan that fits us best by choosing from four levels of coverage from different health care companies.

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Bronze

The bronze plan costs less, but when you get care you pay more. You pay more for the platinum plan, but it costs less when you get care.